The Economic Development Minister will join a panel of experts at a live event next month to examine Jersey’s population challenges, the Government’s response, and the future vision for the island’s economy.
The event – called ‘Population… open the doors or pull up the drawbridge?‘ – will take place from 17:00 to 19:00 on Thursday 18 September.
It will address falling birth rates, the island’s ageing population and the so-called “bean drain” of young, working-age islanders – and consider whether Jersey should admit more workers, restrict immigration, or take a different approach in response.
Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel will set out the key population concerns and the government’s approach alongside a soon-to-be-confirmed panel of population experts and professionals.
The discussion will follow a Question Time format chaired by Bailiwick Express and Connect editor Fiona Potigny, with the discussion driven by questions submitted by the public.
The previous All Island Media event on housing was a sell-out at the Pomme d’Or in April.
Housing Minister Deputy Sam Mézec took questions alongside Michael Van Neste MBE, Captain Alice Nunn, Harry Trower and Deputy David Warr at ‘Housing… Crisis Averted?‘.
During that event, panellists examined whether the Minister has the powers and tools required to deliver change in the housing sector, and whether Jersey’s housing qualifications system remained fit for purpose.
GET INVOLVED…
Tickets for next month’s event are available here, with attendees are encouraged to submit their questions in advance.
They are priced at £15 for general admission and £10 for students or charities (fees included). AIM Plus subscribers can attend for free by emailing marketing@allisland.media to secure a place.
Signing up to AIM Plus starts at as little as £1, and unlocks access to online exclusive content from the JEP and Bailiwick Express, as well as tickets to our events.
IN NUMBERS: Jersey’s population pressures
- Nearly half of Year 10 and 12 students do not consider Jersey a viable place to build a life and career, according to a survey, with over a third of sixth-form students planning to leave the island for university and not return.
- Data from Statistics Jersey shows the number of islanders in their 20s and 30s dropped by 7% between 2017 and 2023.
- Birth rates in 2024 were at their lowest since 1945, having fallen by 10% from the previous year, according to the island’s superintendent registrar.
- Data from Public Health shows that the proportion of Jersey women having a baby in their 20s has nearly halved in recent years, while the average age of motherhood is on the rise.
- Deaths have exceeded births for the third consecutive year, according to Policy Centre Jersey.
- The number of over-64-year-olds grew by 12% between 2018 and 2023, while the number of under-16-year-olds fell by 5%, according to Statistics Jersey.
- The latest census found that the ‘dependency ratio’ in Jersey had risen to 52%, meaning there were fewer people working than the number dependent on public services paid for by taxes.